STATEWIDE — On Monday, May 10, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded guidance for the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to include adolescents between 12 and 15 years old.
Although this guidance has been issued in this next step towards providing vaccinations for more than 400,000 Virginia residents, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) must wait for federal approval before distribution can begin.
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This Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will meet to discuss the FDA’s new guidance and to make a recommendation regarding the approval of using the vaccine for adolescents.
VDH stated, “We are encouraged by the FDA’s action and its support of the vaccine’s use in those 12 and older. Virginia already has begun planning for the expansion of vaccine availability to this age group, including having discussions with local health districts, school systems, pediatricians and other physicians, and our pharmacy partners.”
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